The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Volume 16, Number 19
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Get involved with Relay for Life By Melissa Chicker The Berlin Citizen
Berlin’s Relay for Life is two weeks away and there is still plenty of time to get involved. This year the event is held at the Berlin Lion’s Fairgrounds Saturday, May 19, to Sunday, May 20. It begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday with opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. This weekend is an opportunity to raise awareness and honor cancer survivors and remember those lost. Each dollar raised will help save lives for those diagnosed with cancer. The Relay for Life is an overnight event where teams of people camp out. Mem-
bers of each team take turns walking around a track for the duration of the event. Food, games, and entertainment are provided along with fundraising opportunities. So far 437 participants of 37 teams in town have raised $33,700. If you can’t be involved there are plenty of ways to donate. Fundraisers before the relay include a tag sale, sponsored by Relay Team Phyllis on Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 114 Harvest Hill Rd. and the Berlin Lions Club sponsored Wine Tasting on Saturday, May 12, from 7 to 10 p.m. The Lions will donate five dollars from the sale of each ticket sold to Berlin Relay for Life.
Cancer resources at the library Berlin residents will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at the Berlin fairgrounds. According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Whether it’s a family member, a friend or even ourselves, these statistics demonstrate that most of us will be affected by cancer in some way. Whether you seek medical information, coping strategies, spiritual guidance, or perhaps a memoir by someone who’s “been there”, here are just some of the cancer-related materials your library provides: America’s Top Doctors for Cancer by John Connolly Anticancer with Dr. David Servan (DVD) Dr. Servan addresses the simple steps you can take to give your body a fighting chance through prevention, integrative oncology, a healthy lifestyle and the right foods. Beyond the Magic Bullet: The Anti-Cancer Cocktail by Raymond Chang While the world continues to look for a “magic bullet” that will defeat all cancers, Dr. Chang takes a penetrating look at a bold new way of treating and defeating the disease with what is already available today. A Book of Miracles: Inspiring True Stories of Healing, Gratitude, and Love by Bernie Siegel The best-selling author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles shares a treasury of inspiring true stories about patients who have pursued physical, spiritual and psychological healing through his programs. Breast Cancer: What You Need to Know—Now by The American Cancer Society Children with Cancer: A Reference Guide for Parents by Jeanne Munn Bracken A wealth of up-to-date information essential for anyone who wishes to help a child or family through this ordeal. The Color of Rain: How Two Families Found Faith, Hope, and Love in the Midst of Tragedy by Michael Spehn
Mothers support community By Melissa Chicker The Berlin Citizen
Raising Berlin, a non-profit organization of Berlin mothers, just celebrated its third year anniversary. Raising Berlin was started in April of 2009 by Lisa Toussaint as a community based way to help out locally. The organization, which has
grown to 60 members, also is a creative outlet for mothers to take time out of their hectic lives. “I felt like the town needed more community and more events to bring the community together,” Toussaint said. “Our organization is different than other groups. Our main mission is to establish a way to show kids and other
moms what it means to be a part of the Berlin community.” Toussiant said the group brings their children to organized events to show the children how a community works together. One of the biggest events the group organizes is the tree lighting ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park the week after Thanksgiving. The group has been putting on the event, since 2009, with the help of the Kensington Fire Department. “There is always a huge crowd,” Toussaint said. “The tree lighting put a lot of attention on the group.” The group gets its children involved by collecting for food pantries and collecting change to donate to the Upbeat program. Around the holidays, stocking stuffers are assembled for families in need. Toussiant said they try to support all town events, including the Kiwanis Club booth at the Berlin Fair. Future events expected See Difference, page 8
WIN FREE FOR A
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Submitted photo by Lisa Toussaint
Raising Berlin is going strong after three years.
See Resources, page 3
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